Just checking in

 I don't post very much here mainly because I opened this blog as a buffer in case I moved from my existing platform.

The days are rolling into each other and here we are at the end of October. Christmas is not very far away and my thoughts are with already struggling families trying to make ends meet on a reduced income and uncertain future.

Hubby and I are used to living frugally and to a budget but costs are rising and incomes aren't keeping up. I remember how I used to start my Christmas shopping around August to spread the cost, but with The Virus keeping people in their homes or worse, Christmas is suddenly upon us and our government is talking about putting the country into lockdown to 'save' it.

It poses the question
"What does Christmas mean to You?"

I remember family gatherings, a traditional dinner, opening presents after the washing up was done and singing carols round the piano.
As an adult, I spent most of my time in the kitchen just like my Mum did Christmas morning. There were excited kids in the house, playing with the little things that Santa had left in their stockings at the end of their beds. I may or may not have had help with the washing up, but after pressie opening, most times we'd fall asleep in front of the telly.

When you have very little, and no means of getting more, values change. It's difficult when there are kiddies involved, not because they expect a lot, though many of them do, but disappointment is a hard pill to swallow, especially at Christmas.

I wrote this years ago and it's on my original blog so the copyright is mine.
https://pensitivity101.wordpress.com/2014/11/29/one-for-the-kids-for-christmas/

Christopher was all excited,
Once he started, he couldn’t stop
Bragging about what he would get,
Until young Peter thought he’d pop.
‘I’m going to have an electric guitar,
A Game Boy and computer too,
Lots of toys and presents,
So much more than YOU!
Everyone will be coming
To our house on Christmas Day,
Loaded down with parcels
And games for me to play.
We’ll have turkey with all the trimmings,
And a massive Christmas Pud,
Chocolates, sweets and trifles,
Pah, I don’t have to be that good!

And so on Christmas Morning,
He stood on the bottom stair,
Gazing at his glistening tree,
The floor all around it bare.
Santa’s mince pie and sherry
Lay untouched on the coffee table.
‘WHERE ARE ALL MY PRESENTS?’
He demanded when he was able.
Meanwhile across the city,
Peter beamed at his Mum with glee
At a hundred festive parcels
Strewn around his Christmas Tree.
‘But I didn’t ask for anything,
Just a book would have been nice,
A few things in my stocking,
Like fruit, nuts and sugar mice.’

The moral of this story
Must now be very clear,
Don’t be a naughty Christopher,
And behave yourself all year.

This Christmas is going to be different for everyone. Over the years, it has become too commercialised and profit oriented, a headache for struggling parents trying the best they can.
Maybe now we can concentrate on something other than gift giving and receiving, trying to outdo the neighbours or relatives, and spending money we haven't got to keep the peace. I've been there and it cost me dearly.
This year is a time for family, even if it means Skype, Zoom, or social media because you can't be together. It means being with the ones you love and thinking about those no longer with us. 
Just a thought.